High School Insider with Danny Ventura & Jim Clark

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Braintree's Ashley Russell commits to Penn

Photo by:

By:

Boston Herald Dream Teamer Ashley Russell of Braintree gave a verbal commitment to play college basketball at Penn in the fall of 2015. The Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts, the 5-foot-10 guard averaged nearly 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists a game in leading the Wamps to the Division 1 state title. A three-time all-Bay State Conference selection, Russell had been in contact with the Penn coaching staff for a bit. “Getting a chance to go to Penn is something I knew I couldn't pass up – it's the opportunity of a lifetime,” Russell said. “I took a visit there and I loved the campus and the coaching staff is great. They've really turned the program since coach (Mike McLaughlin) got there and they won the Ivy League title last year.” Russell will spend the summer playing AAU basketball for her father Pat, the head coach of the Bay State Magic Elite.